Extrusion Die Specification: How to Obtain Repeatable Performance

Extrusion Die Specification: How to Obtain Repeatable Performance

R. F. Dickson and A. Kindlihagen, Hydro Aluminium Products R&D

Track: EXTRUSION/DIE, PRACTICAL - Tooling Performance

ABSTRACT --- Intensive work has been conducted over past years into
optimizing die designs for high productivity, zero die trials, and shape
control. Many papers have been published in past ET conferences and the
technical press covering the effects of varied port geometries, bearing angle
changes, bridge heights, and bearing support. Sophisticated computer
software has been developed to produce automatic designs that balance port
flow and offer high productivities and stable geometries. However, little has
been published on the actual manufacturing of such dies. It is known that
changes in bearing angle and length affect the speed and shape of the
extrusion produced by a die. Yet, there is no accepted industry standard for
specifying tolerances on bearing angle or bearing length when purchasing
dies. This paper proposes a basic specification for manufacturing standards
of dies and simple methods of verifying that the die maker has met these
standards.